Selectively Releasable Flashlight Attachment Device for Handgun

ABSTRACT

This releasable flashlight attachment device can be placed and removed on/from the frame of a firearm without the user&#39;s hand passing in front of the barrel. It includes: (1) a bottom portion with a receiver section that engages an integral rail portion of a handgun and an adjacent nesting area adapted to hold a small flash light; (2) a cap to secure the light in the nesting area; and (3) a locking tab and spring that automatically engages the locking cross-slot integral to the rail portion, and the locking lab can be oriented in opposite directions in the receiver section to facilitate use of the device for either right or left side flashlight mounting. The bottom portion flexes laterally and has other features that allow the device to be snap mounted and easily demounted by rotation of the handgun relative to the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims an invention that was disclosed in part in U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/443,051, filed Jan. 11, 2013, entitled “Selectively Releasable Flashlight Attachment for Handgun”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to non-dedicated light devices able to mount to handguns with integral rails. More particularly, the invention pertains to a releasable flashlight attachment device. Specifically, the instant invention improves on prior art in the field of the invention by providing such a device that can be easily placed and removed on the frame of the weapon, without the user's hand passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm.

2. Relevant Art

Historically, it has been difficult for even skilled marksmen to coordinate a hand held flashlight with a firearm at night. The modern two handed handgun shooting technique requires the support hand to wrap around the hand which controls the firing of the weapon in order to substantially control the weapon during firing. The user must relinquish some control of the handgun if the support hand is used to hold or even switch on and off a light while firing. In recent years the industry has improved upon this skill by incorporating a mounting rail with locking indentions, into the frame of the firearm, in-line with and just below the barrel of the firearm. A specially designed light module may be attached to the firearm using the integral mounting rail on the firearm. The light module is secured to the firearm's mounting rail just forward of the front of the trigger guard on pistols and near the front of the hand guard or fore stock of shoulder firearms.

However, these dedicated light modules pose problems with how the firearm is holstered. In order for the holster to contain the firearm with attached light it must offer an area large enough for the light to pass in and out. This adds bulk to the holster, but more importantly, it compromises security of the firearm being held by the holster. This is because dedicated light modules necessarily are mounted in front of the trigger guard below the slide and barrel of the handgun. The dedicated light module is significantly larger than the trigger guard that it mounts in front of. The part of the holster that normally protects the trigger area of the handgun must be enlarged in order to allow the light module to pass in and out of the holster. That same opening allows an assailant to place their finger into the holster and engage the trigger and fire the firearm in the holster, possibly causing serious injury to the wearer of the firearm.

The invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,364 provides an alternative arrangement that uses a relatively inexpensive hand held light with a tail cap switch that can be quickly attached to a drawn handgun. The light portion, once attached to the firearm, is affixed adjacent to the frame of the handgun and is positioned right or left of the centerline of the handgun frame so that it can be operated by the thumb of the support hand of either a right or left handed operator. The device can be quickly installed after the handgun is removed from a holster and can be quickly removed prior to re-holstering the handgun. The success of this invention has been bolstered by parallel advances in LED (Light emitting diode) technology related to small hand held light devices. These have progressed to the point that very small inexpensive lights are available that produce illumination capable of identifying targets up to 25 meters away in total darkness. (One of these very small lights is the Streamlight Microstream®).

The advantages of the referenced invention over the more expensive dedicated mounted light unit have been proven by the success of the sales of this product. It allows the wearer of a handgun to carry the weapon securely in a holster that fits the firearm without an attached light. However it allows the user to quickly attach a light to the drawn weapon if illumination is required. The attachment of the light is straightforward but there continues to be a safety concern with removing the light module under stress. The action of pulling the light module forward and off of the rail portion of the handgun frame can place the support hand in front of the muzzle at the same time the hand that is controlling the firearm and trigger is pulling back. An improvement upon the referenced invention that would address the safety concerns and utilize the availability of the newer less expensive small hand held lights is, therefore, extremely advantageous.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In one primary aspect of the invention there is provided a releasable flashlight attachment device that can be easily placed and removed on the frame of the weapon without the user's hand passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a releasable flashlight attachment device composed of three molded polymer parts. One part contains the matching receiver portion that engages the integral rail portion of a handgun. This portion of the device is designed to flex in the middle so that with added rotational force perpendicular to the two parallel rails, additional clearance between the two engaging rails can be received. One of the two engaging rails of the invention is designed such that a rotation of the device relative to the handgun will cause it to release from that side of the rail portion of the frame of the handgun when the unit flexes in a wider position. In that same part a nesting area adjacent to the receiver portion is provided to accept a small tail switched light (such as the previously mentioned Streamlight Microstream®). The small light is nested immediately adjacent to the one engaging rail designed to release from the matching handgun rail. A second part of the device matches the nesting area and forms a clamp to secure the light to the unit by the use of attaching screws. A third part fits into the receiver portion running lengthwise and between the two engaging rails and has multiple functions. It acts as a leaf spring at both ends. The back portion of the third part has a flat landing area to facilitate installation and also has a leading edge portion designed to engage the area of the handgun where the trigger guard transitions to the frame. This leading edge part of the leaf spring design flexes against the trigger guard transition, areas as the light unit is moved into a locking position. This flexing action puts a load on the locking area of the rail system and also allows the unit to move back a slightly adjustable amount to accommodate the slight variations in the placement of the locking notch of different handgun manufactures. The forward portion of the third part has a locking tab incorporated into the leaf spring. This tab automatically engages the locking cross-slot integral to the handgun frame rail system. This third part can be installed from either end of the device allowing the light to be positioned either right or left of the centerline of the handgun for ambidextrous operation.

In still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a releasable flashlight attachment device having an attachment process that allows the user to grip the back of the light and approach the muzzle of the handgun from underneath the firearm. The leading edge of the handgun rail, which is flush with the muzzle of the firearm, is indexed on the flat landing area of the third part of the device. The user then slides the light unit back toward the grip of the handgun until the locking tab of the third part automatically engages the locking cross-slot rail portion of the handgun frame thus securing the unit on the handgun. In doing so no part of the users support hand passes in front of the muzzle of the handgun. To remove the unit from the handgun, the user simply holds the light portion of the device with support hand and using the controlling hand, rotates the handgun away from the light fixture. This action causes the unit to unlock from the frame of the handgun preventing the user's support hand from passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flashlight attachment device of the invention with a flashlight mounted therein in close proximity to a handgun and is adapted and positioned for mounting to the left side of the handgun;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the flashlight attachment device adapted for right side handgun mounting with a flashlight mounted therein and affixed in proper position on a handgun in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2B is a second perspective view of the version of the invention shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is bottom view of the invention shown in FIGS. 2A and B;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged bottom view of the attachment device with a flashlight mounted therein in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a top perspective view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a reduced top view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is a front end view of FIG. 3D;

FIG. 3F is a rear end view of FIG. 3D;

FIG. 3G is a right side elevational view of FIG. 3D;

FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the lower or bottom piece of the flashlight attachment device;

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view from another angle similar to FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an end elevational view of the lower piece shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 4C from the opposite side;

FIG. 4E is a top perspective view of the lower piece shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the upper piece or cap to attach to the lower piece shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of the upper piece shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of the latching piece or tongue portion of the flashlight attachment device of this invention;

FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the latching piece of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a left side elevation view of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the flashlight attachment device of the invention with a flashlight mounted therein being removed from a handgun in accordance with this invention, the hand being shown in broken lines;

FIG. 8A is a partial right side elevational view of a second embodiment showing a locking and unlocking lever at the front of the attachment device of this invention;

FIG. 8B is a partial front view illustrating a locking and unlocking lever at the side of the attachment device of this invention; and

FIG. 8C is a top perspective view of FIG. 8B.

DESCRIPTION

As will be noted from FIGS. 1 through 2C showing a firearm 1 in conjunction with the flashlight mounting device 2 of the invention, the device being described allows a non-dedicated light device (a flashlight 3) to be easily and conveniently mounted to and on the integral mounting rail 1A provided under the barrel 1B and in front of the trigger guard 1C of most modern military and police firearms. The mounting device 2 is composed of three primary molded polymer parts—a bottom piece 2A, an upper piece/cap 4, and a multi-purpose spring and locking tab 5—which are discussed in turn below.

The largest and most important portion of the mounting device 2 is its bottom piece/portion 2A, which has a receiver trough or portion 2A1 that fits around and engages the integral rail 1A of a firearm/handgun 1. As will be noted from the drawing figures, the rail 1A has a generally “T” shaped cross-section producing inset grooves 1A1. Likewise, the receiver portion 2A1 of the device 2 has parallel engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 (best seen in FIG. 3D) intended to interface with and nest in the grooves 1A1. The receiver portion 2A1 of the device 2 is designed to flex generally in the middle, thus allowing a snap fit between the engagement features 2A2, 2A3 and grooves 1A1 in initially mounting the device 2. This is facilitated by inclined mounting rail ramping surfaces 1A3 (see FIG. 2A), which interface with matching inclined upper surfaces of engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 see FIG. 3D) such that the abutting surfaces of the two parts slide/ramp past each other during the snap engagement process.

In addition, when rotational force perpendicular to rails 1A is applied, additional clearance between the two engaging rails formed by side engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 will be created, enabling the device 2 to be disengaged from the firearm 1. This can readily be accomplished—see FIG. 7—by gripping the side of the device containing flashlight 3 and flashlight nesting portion 2C, and using the leverage created by its position away from rail 1A to either hold portion 2C and flashlight 3 while twisting the handgun 1 away, or holding the handgun 1 steady while twisting the device 2 away. One of the two sets of parallel engagement features (nesting side engagement features 2A3, which is located on the same side as flashlight nesting portion 2C) is designed with somewhat rounded ends such that a rotation of the device 2 relative to the handgun 1 will cause it to release from that side of the rail portion 1A of the frame of the handgun 1 when the receiver portion 2A1 flexes/opens into a wider position.

Bottom piece/portion 2A also includes an intermediate portion 2B by which it is joined to a flashlight nesting area/portion 2C adjacent to the receiver portion 2A1, which is provided to accept a small tail switched 3A flash light 3 (such as the previously mentioned Streamlight Microstream®). The small light 3 is nested immediately adjacent to the engagement features 2A3 designed to release from the matching handgun rail 1A. The second part of the device—upper piece/cap 4—matches the nesting area 2C and forms a clamp to secure the light 3 to the unit 2 by the use of attaching screws 2B1.

It should be noted that the first two pieces discussed (flashlight mounting device bottom piece 2A and cap 4) are identical and unchanged whether the device 2 is configured for right side or left side mounting. Right or left mounting configuration is dictated only by the orientation of the third part—multi-purpose spring/latching piece (or “tongue”) 5 in the receiver portion 2A1. Latching piece 5 extends lengthwise between the two rows of engaging features 2A2, 2A3, flanking receiver portion 2A1, and has multiple functions. First, it acts as a leaf spring at both ends. The back portion of the spring/latching piece 5 has a flat landing area 5A to facilitate installation and also has a leading edge portion 5A1 designed to engage the slight channel area or transition area 1B1 of the handgun 1 where the trigger guard 1C transitions to the frame 1B. This leading edge 5A1 of the leaf spring design of latching piece 5 flexes against the trigger guard 1C at transition areas 1B1 as the unit 2 is moved into a locking position. This flexing action puts a load on the locking area (i.e., where parallel engagement features 2A2 and 2A3 interface with and nest in the groove 1A1 of the rail system 1A) facilitating frictional binding between these parts to stabilize the unit 2 in position and also allows the unit 2 to move back a slightly adjustable amount to accommodate the slight variations in the placement of the locking notches 1A2 of different handgun manufactures.

The forward portion of the spring/latching piece 5 has a locking tab 5B which automatically engages the locking notch/cross-slot 1A2 integral to the handgun frame rail system 1A. Spring/latching piece 5 can be installed from either end of the device 2 allowing the light 3 to be positioned either right or left of the centerline of the handgun 1 for ambidextrous operation. It will be clear from review of the drawing figures, if the latching piece is oriented such that its leading edge 5A1 and the light switch are oriented as shown in FIG. 3D, it will be positioned for right hand mounting and use. Likewise, the reverse orientation will configure the device 2 for left hand mounting and use. The snap feature 5C of the multi-purpose spring and locking tab 5 and interfacing configuration and features of the trough of the receiver portion 2A1 are specifically adapted and designed for this purpose.

The attaching process of the device 2 with its included flashlight 3 to the handgun 1 allows the user to grip the back of the flash light mounting device 2 and approach the muzzle of the handgun 1 from underneath the firearm frame 1B. The leading edge of the handgun rail 1A, which is flush with the muzzle of the firearm 1, is indexed on the flat landing area 5A as previously discussed. The user then slides the light unit 2 rearward toward the grip/handle 1D of the handgun 1 until the locking tab 5B automatically engages the locking cross-slot 1A2 of the rail 1A portion of the handgun frame 1B, thus securing the unit on the handgun 1. In doing so no part of the users support hand passes in front of the muzzle of the handgun 1. To remove the unit 2 from the handgun 1, the user simply holds the light portion (flashlight nesting portion 2C) of the device 2 with support hand and using the controlling hand, rotates the handgun 1 away from the light portion 2C or vice-versa. This action causes the unit 2 to unlock from the frame 1B of the handgun 1 preventing the user's support hand from passing in front of the muzzle of the firearm 1 (see FIG. 7).

Finally, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, a further variation with a finger actuatable disengagement lever 5D can be attached to, or interact with, multi-purpose spring and locking tab 5B to allow it to be released from engagement in a particular cross-slot 1A2 and allow the device to be slid/adjusted forward and backward on rail 1A (and/or even removed by sliding off of rail 1A, though this is not generally considered to be a desirable option). Two versions are shown: (1) a version with a simple pull-down/back lever 5D, as illustrated in FIG. 8A; and (2) a version where pushing a push button lever 5D connected to tongue 5, by interaction of ramping edges/surfaces 7, forces tongue 5 and integral tab 5B downward and out of engagement with a slot 1A2. However, as should be apparent, in view of the foregoing, numerous other changes and variations can be made without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept herein disclosed. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

PARTS AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATED IN DRAWING FIGURES

-   1 Firearm -   1A Firearm accessory mounting rail -   1A1 Firearm accessory mounting rail side groove -   1A2 Firearm accessory mounting rail locking notches/cross-slots -   1A3 Firearm accessory mounting rail ramping surfaces -   1B Firearm barrel -   1B1 Transition area -   1C Firearm trigger guard -   1D Firearm handle/grip -   2 Flashlight mounting device/unit of the invention -   2A Bottom piece/portion of flashlight mounting device -   2A1 Receiver portion of flashlight mounting device -   2A2 Open side rail engagement features of receiver portion -   2A3 Nesting side rail engagement features of receiver portion -   2B Intermediate portion of flashlight mounting device -   2B1 Securing screws -   2C Flashlight nesting portion of flashlight mounting device -   3 Flashlight -   3A Flashlight activation switch at rear of flashlight -   3B Flashlight lens at front of flashlight -   4 Cap -   5 Multi-purpose spring and locking tab -   5A Flat landing area of multi-purpose spring and locking tab -   5A1 Leading edge portion of multi-purpose spring and locking tab -   5B Locking tab of multi-purpose spring and locking tab -   5C Snap feature of multi-purpose spring and locking tab -   5D Finger actuatable disengagement lever -   6 Hand of user -   7 Ramping surfaces/edges 

1. A releasable flashlight attachment device for firearms comprising: a receiving section mountable to a firearm accessory mounting rail extending below and parallel to the barrel of said firearm; a flashlight nesting section extending from said receiving section and adapted to hold a flashlight parallel to said barrel and rail so as to project light emitted by said flashlight parallel to said barrel and rail; and said receiving section being engagable and mounted to said firearm accessory mounting rail by sliding on said rail or being snapped into place thereon and being unsnapped therefrom by relative rotation between said device and said rail or sliding off said rail, said receiving section flexing open to snap mount onto said rail, and said receiving section flexing open to demount from said rail.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said nesting section extends laterally from said receiving section to dispose said nesting section to the side of said firearm when the receiving section is mounted to said firearm mounting rail.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a spring and locking tab mountable in said receiving section, said spring and locking tab engaging locking notches in said rail when said receiving section is mounted thereon, said spring and locking tab being mounted in selected opposing directions for placement of said nesting section on either side of said firearm.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said receiving section includes parallel sets of side rail engagement features that snap into complemental grooves along sides of said firearm accessory mounting rail when said receiving section is mounted to said firearm accessory mounting rail.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said side rail engagement features are rounded to readily disengage from said grooves upon said relative rotation.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said nesting section includes a movable lever arm to be grasped by a user in disengaging said side rail engagement features from the groove in which said features are nested when demounting said device from the firearm.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein said side rail engagement features have inclined upper surfaces which interface with matching inclined mounting rail ramping surfaces such that the abutting surfaces thereof slide/ramp past each other during snapping engagement or disengagement by said relative rotation.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said nesting section and said receiving section are integral.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an arcuate top piece detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a flashlight positionable therein.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user actuatable disengagement lever for disengaging said locking tab from a locking notch in said rail.
 11. A releasable flashlight attachment device for firearms comprising: a receiving section mountable to a firearm accessory mounting rail extending below and parallel to a barrel of the firearm; a flashlight nesting section adapted to hold a flashlight parallel to said barrel and rail so as to project light emitted by the flashlight parallel to said barrel and rail, said flashlight nesting section extending laterally from said receiving section to dispose said nesting section to one side of the firearm when said receiving section is mounted to said firearm mounting rail; a spring and locking tab mountable in said receiving section, said spring and locking tab engaging selective locking notches in said rail when the receiver is mounted thereon, and said spring and locking tab being mounted in selected opposing directions for placement of said nesting section on either side of the firearm; and said receiving section being engagable and mounted to said firearm accessory mounting rail by sliding on said rail or being snapped into place thereon and being unsnapped therefrom by relative rotation between said device and said rail or sliding forwardly off said rail, said receiving section flexing open in order to snap mount onto said rail, and said receiving section flexing open in order to demount from said rail.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said receiving section includes parallel sets of side rail engagement features that snap into matching grooves along sides of said firearm accessory mounting rail when said receiving section is mounted to said firearm accessory mounting rail.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said side rail engagement features are rounded to readily disengage from one side groove upon said relative rotation.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein said nesting section includes a lever arm graspable by a user in disengaging said side rail engagement features from said one groove in which said features are nested when demounting said device from said firearm.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein said side rail engagement features have inclined upper surfaces which interface with matching inclined mounting rail ramping surfaces such that the abutting surfaces thereof slide/ramp past each other during snapping engagement or disengagement by said relative rotation.
 16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a user actuatable disengagement lever for disengaging said locking tab from a locking notch in said rail.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein said nesting section and said receiving section are integral.
 18. The device of claim 15, further comprising an arcuate top piece detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a flashlight positionable therein.
 19. The device of claim 11, further comprising an arcuate top piece detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a flashlight positionable therein.
 20. The device of claim 12, further comprising an arcuate top piece detachably connected to said nesting section for encasing a flashlight positionable therein. 